Yoga Journal Colorado Conference Day 2

Today I sat in on T.K.V Desikachar's lectures and practice on meditation and pranayama (breathing technique). I was a real honor because he is my teacher's teacher and it was the first time I saw him live.

Both lectures were very interesting presenting ways in which to use both of these techniques in a therapeutic context (given the Yoga as Therapy theme of the conference). My take aways are the following:

  • Meditation: We should not underestimate the power of meditation to heal. Desikachar sited numerous examples of where meditation was used to heal physiological and psychological conditions. We just need to remember that the prerequisite for meditation is asana (posture work), as this prepares and quietens the body. Then you move on to pranayama - reducing your impurities, thereby making you ready for meditation. In meditation you need to be well prepared and have a sustained focus. The focus can be on an object of choice - whether it be a religious deity or something symbolic to you (like the sun, moon, etc...). The point being that as you sit and meditate on this object you will transfer the qualities of this object onto yourself.
  • Pranayama: Another key aspect of yoga and tremendously effective as a therapeutic tool. When working with pranayama, the following aspects will be played with to suit the person condition presented to you during a therapeutic yoga session: exhalation, inhalation, retention after exhalation, retention after inhalation, and duration.

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